Diagnosis of biliary atresia in Syrian population

ABSTRACT

This study aims to define the role of the liver biopsy and scintigraphy in the diagnosis of the bilairy atresia [BA] in a developing country, as the first published study in our country [Syria]. Twenty two patients with cholestatsis, during 2008-2009, were studied for clinical presentations, total bilirubin, SGPT, PT, liver biopsy [LB], scintigraphy [SNT], and cholangiography in positive cases. The false positive and negative cases of SNT were analyzed. Nine patients completed the study, 5 males, and 4 females. Age range between 21 and 120 days, mean age 73.1 days. SNT and LB was incompatible with BA in all 9 cases. Cholangiography proved extrahepatic biliary atresia in 7 cases [77%] and was normal in 2 cases [23%], thus LB and SNT gave false results in these cases. Our study proves again that the diagnosis of biliary atresia can't be made by only one tool, the cholangiogram still the best and final test to make it